Ticos love a little celebration and here on the Caribbean coast you often find them on the beach, especially with the holidays. Every free moment available they pull out their barbecues , put their kids in the car, drive to the beach, open the trunk, turn on some reggaeton on their giant stereos and sit shoulder to shoulder with their fellow ticos on the beach, in the shades of a party tent or swinging in a hammock, cheering to life with a can of imperial in their hand. Or one in each if you may. Parilladas (barbecues) aren’t just for food, they are a way of life in Costa Rica. New Year’s Day is no exception.
Although ticos like things easy, they managed to create some very complicated New Year’s Eve traditions. Especially the very superstitious won’t risk poisoning their fate for the coming year by skipping the traditions. Over the years I’ve learned quite a few of them, but when I was at the farmers market last week I suddenly saw something new (number 1↓) and it just reminded me of how interesting these habits are, worth a share!
So here are the most common New Year’s Eve tico traditions:
Santa Lucia flower
This small purple flower is said to attract money or good luck in general. Preferably the plant must be given to you at the end of beginning of the year. Eucalyptus is another plant ticos like to put in their houses at the end of December. This plant is supposed to protect good health.
Wearing yellow
Our Spanish teacher told us she always wears yellow on New Year’s Eve. Again it would assure good luck, especially the undies, ha!
Suitcase at midnight
Back your bags! At midnight you’ll see a lot of ticos running around the block with their suitcases. It would ensure them of a lot of travelling in the upcoming year.
A clean up
Some ticos are cleaning or washing the entrance of their house, just a little after midnight. I’m not sure what this means though, purifying the house of last years bad spirits perhaps?
Twelve grapes
This is a famous tradition in many Spanish speaking countries. You have to eat twelve grapes before twelve o’clock, one for each stroke of midnight. For every grape you eat, you may make a wish. Have you ever tried it? Depending on the size of the grapes it can be really though!
Ribbons in the house
Time for more decorations! Apart from plants, ticos like to hang ribbons across the house in all kinds of colours. Yellow ribbons would attract good fortune, red ribbons keep away the bad energy and green would bring money for the following year.
A little bag of cornucopia
Some ticos hang a bag with a lot of food (like dry rice, coffee and beans) at the entrance door. This will assure them of plenty of food in the upcoming year.
A big smooch
And obviously kisses are being given at midnight, wishing each other Happy New Year!
